Metal container with central plastic straw



Jan. 3, 1967 w. A. PUGH METAL CONTAINER WITH CENTRAL PLASTIC STRAW Filed Nov. 17, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Jan, 3, 1%? W. A. PUGH 3,295,?15

METAL CONTAINER WITH CENTRAL PLASTIC STRAW Filed Nov. 17, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 William A. Pugh INVENTOR.

United States Patent C) 3,295,715 METAL CONTAINER WlTH CENTRAL PLASTIC STRAW William A. Pugh, 5200 S. Harper Ave., Chicago, it]. 60615 Filed Nov. 17, 1964, Ser. No. 411,783 3 Claims. (Cl. 220--54) The present invention generally relates to a container having a straw incorporated therein and more particularly to a metal container having a plastic straw therein in which the metal container has a tear-out central portion forming a central opening therein with the straw being connected with the tear-out portion for extracting one end of the straw out through the opening formed in the metal container when the tear-out portion is removed therefrom.

Recent developments in metallic containers has enabled the use of a tear-up or tear-out opening to be incorporated in the top thereof so that the container may be opened without requiring a special can opener or similar tool. Such openable closures have been incorporated into containers, especially beer cans and the like. However, when using such closures in conjunction with carbonated beverages certain difficulties have been encountered inasmuch as higher pressures are encountered since the carbonated beverage mixture produces a higher pres sure within the container than beer. In order to comensate for the higher pressure, the thickness of the can top or lid has been increased. When the thickness of the metal increases, this does not lend itself to tear-out very readily, especially if the teanout strip come to an abrupt end. This end has to be flexed, and quite often, there is left a jagged sharp edge which sometimes touches the lips of the person drinking from the container.

Other conditions exist when drinking from the container such as engagement of the lips with the can surface which may have been handled or may have dust or the like thereon. Even though the contents are poured from such containers, the contents necessarily fiow over the portion of the lid and rim thereon thus bringing the contents into contact with unsanitary surfaces.

In distinction to this, the present invention incorporates a plastic straw in the conainer so that the straw will automatically be lifted into operative position when the can is opened with the structure of the present invention being simple to manufacture and relatively inexpensive to produce. In addition, it is quick and easy to use and provides a sanitary condition inasmuch as the straw is completely enclosed within the confines of the can until the person consuming the products of the can opens the can wherein the straw i placed in position for use without engagement by the hands. There is no dust or fingerprints or other contamination over which the liquid flows with the only contact being between the lips of the consumer and the plastic straw which is completely sanitary and is retained in a sanitary condition.

An object of the invention is to provide a container having a centrally disposed opening or orifice in the lid thereof having a circular break-out or tear-out portion defined by a circumferential score line together with a lever or handle attached thereto and extending laterally therefrom for removing the tear-out portion. Orientation of the orifice or opening in the center of the can reduces spillage of the contents of the can especially when travelling in a car or the like and enables the can to be partially tilted before the contents are spilled. The center location of the opening also affords a shorter pull-up for the straw so that the straw will erect itself more quickly and save time on getting the flexed straw out of the can for sipping. A ring structure is attached to the break-out portion and engages the plastic straw to retain the straw in place when the container is filled and also to pull the straw out through the opening when the tear-out portion is removed. The ring-like structure which engages the straw will lead the straw out of the can and also helps to orientate it for the convenience of the recipient so that in the event the fingers are soiled, it is not necessary to touch the straw at all.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a container having a central opening and break-out closure having a central portion that is depressed or drawn downwardly with the handle lever being attached to the top surface thereof and the supporting ring assembly for the straw attached to the inner surface thereof with the riveting of the closure serving to not only retain the straw but also to retain the handle or lever in position with the lid being completely sealed. Also, the operating handle or lever is rigidified and is connected with the central tear-out or break-out portion in such a manner that it serves to facilitate break-out of the central break-out portion by severing along the peripheral score line.

These together with other objects and advantage which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the container having the components of the present invention incorporated therein;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 1 but with the straw extending through the central opening;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view along the center of the container illustrating the structure of the closure and the orientation of the straw in relation to the central opening;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the construction of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded group sectional view illustrating the structure of the can lid, the draw down central portion, the handle lever therefor and the supporting ring for the straw illustrating their assembled relationship;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 5 but illustrating the components in assembled condition;

FIGURE 7 is a detailed sectional view taken generally along section line 77 of FIGURE 4 illustrating further structural details of the container and the associated straw, break-out portion and handle;

FIGURE 8 is a group perspective view illustrating the handle structure and the supporting ring;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view similar to a portion of FIGURE 7 but illustrating a different type of supporting structure for the straw;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view illustrating a modified form of supporting ring as employed in FIGURE 9; and

EG URE 11 is a detailed sectional view illustrating the score line incorporated into the can lid.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the metal container in which the present invention is incorporated is designated by numeral 10 and includes the usual bottom 12 and a lid 1d secured to the top and bottom edges of the peripheral wall 16 by the usual crimp seal 18 employed in conventional metallic can structure. The particular size, shape and dimensions of the container may vary although it is contemplated that the present invention may be incorporated with facility into metal cans receiving carbonated soft drinks and the like.

Incorporated into the container 10 is a bendable plastic straw 20 that is preferably attractively striped as at 22. The straw 26 is bendable and resilient in that it can be orientated in L-shaped configuration and the upper end portion thereof will still extend in longitudinal alignment with the lower end portion thereof when the straw is straightened out. The straw is a commercially available product and will have a length commensurate with the height of the container 10 so that a substantial portion thereof will extend above the top or lid 14 so that it will be accessible to a person consuming the product from the container 16'.

The structure of the present invention is primarily concerned with the top or lid 14, the straw 2d, the association of the straw with the container and the manner in which the lid is opened and the upper end portion of the straw extracted therefrom.

The lid 14 has an annular upwardly projecting rib 24 thereon spaced inwardly from the rim 18. A second or inner annular rib or upward projection or deformation 26 is provided in the lid 14 as illustrated in FIGURE 5. Centrally of the lid 14, there is a downwardly drawn cupshaped element or depression 28 that has a generally cylindrical wall. The bottom fill of the cup-shaped depression has an upwardly deformed central portion 32.

Also, the lid 14 has a square cut score line 34 extending peripherally at the inner edge of the rib or projection 26 and disposed between the periphery of the cup-shaped depression 28 and the rib 26. Directly opposite to the score line 34, the upper surface of the lid 14 is provided with a V-shaped score line 36 as illustrated in FIGURE 11 for enabling the central portion of the lid 14 including the cup-shaped depressed central area 28 to be torn out or broken out of the center of the lid 14.

For forming a lever or handle for removing the central break-out area of the lid M, there is provided a radially extending handle 38 having a rolled outer edge 40 to rigidify the handle and form a gripping edge. The flat lengthwise portion of the handle 38 is provided with a longitudinally extending centrally disposed upwardly projecting rib 42 and flaring outwardly from each side of the rib 42 is a plurality of inclined ribs 4 generally forming a herringbone arrangement for rigidifying the handle 3% both laterally and longitudinally inasmuch as the handle 38 is constructed of relatively thin sheet metal.

The inner end of the handle 38 is provided with an upwardly projecting rib 46 which is generally C-shaped in configuration in that the ends of the rib 46 generally define the terminal end of the handle 38 as illustrated in FIGURE 8. The rib 46 is continuous around more than half of the circumference of a central circular area 43 having an opening 5% therein and a plurality of radial slits 52 extending from the opening so that the central portion of the circular area 46 may be drawn downwardly as at 54 in the form of a plurality of tabs or tongues 56 for telescopic insertion into the cup-shaped depressed area 28 in the lid 14 with this orientation being illustrated in FIG- URE 5. The ends of the tongues 56 are fiat and the slits 52 define diverging notches 5% between the tongues 56 whereby the tongues 56 will telescope downwardly into the cup-shaped depression and the upwardly extending portion 32 will extend upwardly between the tongues 56 for spreading them outwardly when the lid and handle are secured together in a manner described hereinafter.

Underlying the lid lid is a supporting ring 6t? having diametrically opposed radially extending fingers or arms 62 thereon which lie along the undersurface of the lid 14 when initially installed and curve inwardly toward each other into overlapping relationship as at 64 in FIGURE 7 for partially squeezing the straw 2th and retaining the upper portion of the straw along and adjacent to the undersurface of the lid 14-.

When the lid 14, handle 38 and supporting ring 6d are assembled, the ring 6G is disposed on the outer surface of the cup-shaped depressed area 28 and the tongues 56 are disposed in the inner surface of the cup-shaped depressed area 28 from the upper surface of the lid 14 and then the entire assembly is riveted over so that the bottom edge portion of the cup-shaped depressed area 28 will flare outwardly as at 66 for locking the ring 60 in place and at the same time, the entire cup-shaped depressed .area will be flattened ,thus bending the tongues 56 out wardly along with the outward flare of the wall defining the cup-shaped depressed area 28 thus locking thehandle 38 to the cup-shaped depressed area and also locking the supporting ring 60 thereto.

As illustrated in FIGURE 7, when the supporting arms 62 are engaged with the straw 60, the entire supprting ring assembly and including the outwardly flared portion 56 of the cupshaped depressed area 28 are disposed inwardly of the score lines 34 and 36 so that the break-out area is sufficiently large in diameter to enable the supporting ring assembly for the straw as well as the folded straw to move outwardly through the opening 68 defined in the center portion of the lid 14 as illustrated in FIGURE 2. As the straw is withdrawn through the opening, it will be in folded condition and as soon as the upper end of the straw proceeds out through the opening, it will straighten out and as the supporting arms or fingers 62 are moved longitudinally off of the straw, the straw will be straightened thereby eliminating any contact of the fingers with the straw.

In lieu of the supporting ring 60 having two supporting arms, FIGURES 9 and 10 illustrate a modified form of supporting ring 70 having a single radial supporting arm 72 which is bent around and terminates in an inturned end portion 74 for receiving and engaging the straw '76 with the straw being assembled with the arm which defines a spring clip by merely wiping the straw inwardly under the inturned end '74 of the straw 76 which is the same as the straw 20 illustrated in FIGURES 1-8.

Also, as illustrated specifically in FIGURES 6 and 7, the terminal rounded end of the circular portion 48 of the handle 38 lies just inwardly of the score line 36 in the top surface of the lid 14. Thus, as the handle 38 is lifted upwardly, a downward force is exerted on the laterally extending portion 78 of the cup-shaped depression 28 to facilitate the breaking out of the cup-shaped depressed area 28 at the score lines 34 and 36.

The handle 38 terminates in spaced relation to the rim and the rib 24 holds the handle 38 in such position that it can be easily grasped. The particular construction of the handle and the association thereof with the depressed area 28 provides a clean break through while requiring less torque. The distal end of the vhandle overlies and pushes downwardly on the break-out portion adjacent the upper score line. The flared portion of the depressed area 28 underlies and lifts up on the breakout portion adjacent the score line 34 diametrically opposite to the distal end of the handle. The central portion of the score line will be broken during the pivoting action of the handle thus enabling the score line to be broken or severed with less expenditure of effort.

In assembling the straw with the can with the lid thereon, the lid is normally put in place and the can inverted and the straw inserted under the single supporting arm or ring by a lateral movement or bushing action. The single arm or double arm may be deformed into the de sired orientation by suitable machinery whereby the straw will be held in its L-shaped position and the can subsequently conveyed to a filling mechanism which dispenses a quantity of material therein after which the bottom of the can is sealed in place.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A container comprising a lid, a centrally disposed tear-out portion on the lid for-forming a centrally disposed opening in the lid when the tear-out portion is removed, a handle connected with the tear-out portion for removing the tear-out portion, said tear-out portion being connected to the remainder of the lid by a score line, said handle extending radially toward the periphery of the lid for enabling it to be engaged by the fingers, said tear-out portion of the lid including supporting means depending therefrom, and a flexible, resilient plastic straw disposed in the container with the upper end portion thereof being angulated and disposed in underlying relation to the lid and being engaged by the supporting means on the tear-out portion for retaining the straw in place and pulling a portion of the straw up through the opening in the lid when the tear-out portion is removed, said lid being imperforate with the tear-out portion including a depending cylindrical drawn down portion having an upwardly extending convex portion in the center of the bottom thereof, said handle having a plurality of depending tongues at the distal end thereof with the tongues generally defining a cylindrical configuration for positioning in the depressed area of the tear-out portion with the depressed area being riveted outwardly thereby riveting the tongues thereto for securing the handle to the tear-out portion without penetration of the lid, said tear-out portion being connected to the remainder of the lid by aligned score lines oommunicating with the upper surface and lower surface of the lid, said handle including a distal end portion having an edge engaging the tear-out portion immediately radially inwardly of the score line for exerting a downward break through pressure thereon, said handle also including a generally C-shape-d rib projecting upwardly therefrom for a portion of the periphery thereof, said lid having an annular rib reinforcing the lid outwardly of the score line with the C-shaped rib receiving the annular rib, said riveted portion of the depressed area terminating immediately inwardly of the score line in the undersurface of the lid thereby exerting upward break through pressure immediately inwardly of the score lines in diametrically opposed relation to the downward break through pressure exerted by the distal end of the handle, said supporting means including a ring encircling and being retained by the riveted depressed area, at last one arm projecting radially from the ring and being curved to form a spring clip underlying the tear-out portion of the lid and frictionally clamping the upper portion of the flexible plastic straw.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the terminal end of the arm is reversely bent to enable the straw to be laterally wiped into the clip.

3. A container comprising a lid, a centrally disposed tear-out portion on the lid for forming a centrally disposed opening in the lid when the tear-out portion is removed, a handle connected with the tear-out portion for removing the tear-out portion, said tear-out portion being connected to the remainder of the lid by a score line, said handle extending radially toward the periphery of the lid for enabling it to be engaged by the fingers, said tear-out portion of the lid including supporting means depending therefrom, and a flexible, resilient plastic straw disposed in the container with the upper end portion thereof being angulated and disposed in underlying relation to the lid and being engaged by the supporting means on the tear-out portion for retaining the straw in place and pulling a portion of the straw up through the opening in the lid when the tear-out portion is removed, said lid being imperforate with the tear-out portion including a depending cylindrical drawn down portion having an upwardly extending convex portion in the center of the bottom thereof, said handle having a plurality of depending tongues at the distal end thereof with the tongues generally defining a cylindrical configuration for positioning in the depressed area of the tear-out portion with the depressed area being riveted outwardly thereby riveting the tongues thereto for securing the handle to the tear-out portion without penetration of the lid, said tearout portion being connected to the remainder of the lid by aligned score lines communicating with the upper surface and lower surface of the lid, said handle includ ing a distal end portion having an edge engaging the tear out portion immediately radially inwardly of the score line for exerting a downward break through pressure thereon, said handle also including a generally C-sh-aped rib projecting upwardly therefrom for a portion of the periphery thereof, said lid having an annular rib reinforcing the lid outwardly of the score line with the C- shaped rib receiving the annular rib, said riveted portion of the depressed area terminating immediately inwardly of the score line in the undersurface of the lid thereby exerting upward break through pressure immediately inwardly of the score lines in diametrically opposed relation to the downward break through pressure exerted by the distal end of the handle, said supporting means including a supporting ring and a pair of laterally extending arms bent downwardly and inwardly into overlapping relation for frictionally engaging and retaining a portion of the straw therein.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 195,604 7/1963 Fraze "58-26 2,112,231 3/1938 Speidel 220-54 2,258,622 10/1941 Peckham 220 -54 2,450,244 9/1948 Lynch 229 7 2,547,362 4/1951 Berry 229 7 2,692,699 10/1954 Pelosi 220 -54 3,071,303 1/1963 Pugh 229 7 3,151,766 10/1964 Henchert 22 044 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner, RAPHAEL SCHWARTZ, Examiner. 

1. A CONTAINER COMPRISING A LID, A CENTRALLY DISPOSED TEAR-OUT PORTION ON THE LID FOR FORMING A CENTRALLY DISPOSED OPENING IN THE LID WHEN THE TEAR-OUT PORTION IS REMOVED A HANDLE CONNECTED WITH THE TEAR-OUT PORTION BEING CONNECTED THE TEAR-OUT PORTION, SAID TEAR-OUT PORTION BEING CONNECTED TO THE REMAINDER OF THE LID BY A SCORE LINE, SAID HANDLE EXTENDING RADIALLY TOWARD THE PERIPHERY OF THE LID FOR ENABLING IT TO BE ENGAGED BY THE FINGERS, SAID TEAR-OUT PORTION OF THE LID INCLUDING SUPPORTING MEANS DEPENDING THEREFROM, AND A FLEXIBLE, RESILIENT PLASTIC STRAW DISPOSED IN THE CONTAINER WITH THE UPPER END PORTION THEREOF BEING ANGULATED AND DISPOSED IN UNDERLYING RELATION TO THE LID AND BEING ENGAGED BY THE SUPPORTING MEANS ON THE TEAR-OUT PORTION FOR RETAINING THE STRAW IN PLACE AND PULLING A PORTION OF THE STRAW UP THROUGH THE OPENING IN THE LID WHEN THE TEAR-OUT PORTION IS REMOVED, SAID LID BEING IMPERFORATE WITH THE TEAR-OUT PORTION INCLUDING A DEPENDING CYLIDNRICAL DRAWN DOWN PORTION HAVING AN UPWARDLY EXTENDING CONVEX PORTION IN THE CENTER OF THE BOTTOM THEREOF, SAID HANDLE HAVING A PLURALITY OF DEPENDING TONGUES AT THE DISTAL END THEREOF WITH THE TONGUES GENERALLY DEFINING A CYLINDRICAL CONFIGURATION FOR POSITIONING IN THE DEPRESSED AREA OF THE TEAR-OUT PORTION WITH THE DEPRESSED AREA BEING RIVETED OUTWARDLY THEREBY RIVETING THE TONGUES THERETO FOR SECURING THE HANDLE TO THE TEAR-OUT PORTION WITHOUT PENETRATION OF THE LID, SAID TEAR-OUT PORTION BEING CONNECTED TO THE REMAINDER OF THE LID BY ALIGNED SCORE LINES COMMUNICATING WITH THE UPPER SURFACE AND LOWER SURFACE OF THE LID, SAID HANDLE INCLUDING A DISTAL END PORTION HAVING AN EDGE ENGAGING THE TEAR-OUT PORTION IMMEDIATELY RADIALLY INWARDLY OF THE SCORE LINE FOR EXERTING A DOWNWARD BREAK THROUGH PRESSURE THEREON, SAID HANDLE ALSO INCLUDING A GENERALLY C-SHAPED RIB PROJECTING UPWARDLY THEREFROM FOR A PORTION OF THE PERIPHERY THEREOF, SAID LID HAVING AN ANNULAR RIB REINFORCING THE LID OUTWARDLY OF THE SCORE LINE WITH THE C-SHAPED RIB RECEIVING THE ANNULAR RIB, SAID RIVETED PORTION OF THE DEPRESSED AREA TERMINATING IMMEDIATELY INWARDLY OF THE SCORE LINE IN THE UNDERSURFACE OF THE LID THEREBY EXERTING UPWARD BREAK THROUGH PRESSURE IMMEDIATELY INWARDLY OF THE SCORE LINES IN DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED RELATION TO THE DOWNWARD BREAK THROUGH PRESSURE EXERTED BY THE DISTAL END OF THE HANDLE, SAID SUPPORTING MEANS INCLUDING A RING ENCIRCLING AND BEING RETAINED BY THE RIVETED DEPRESSED AREA, AT LAST ONE ARM PROJECTING RADIALLY FROM THE RING AND BEING CURVED TO FORM A SPRING CLIP UNDERLYING THE TEAR-OUT PORTION OF THE LID AND FRICTIONALLY CLAMPING THE UPPER PORTION OF THE FLEXIBLE PLASTIC STRAW. 